Liquid circulator

Abstract

A liquid circulator is described that is configured to circulate liquids such as water, chemical mixtures, suspensions and the like. The liquid circulator includes an oscillation shaft, a circulation assembly mounted to the oscillation shaft, and a head unit located above the circulation assembly with a motor having an output shaft in driving engagement with the oscillation shaft. The liquid circulator may be devoid of a processor controlling operation of the liquid circulator. The circulator can also include a rotary to oscillation drive mechanism between the output shaft and the oscillation shaft that is configured to convert rotation of the output shaft into clockwise and counterclockwise oscillation of the oscillation shaft. In another example, an automatic clutch mechanism can be provided between the output shaft and the oscillation shaft.

1 . A liquid circulator, comprising:
 an oscillation shaft that is rotatable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions;   a circulation assembly mounted to the oscillation shaft at a lower end thereof, the circulation assembly includes a rotatable propeller that circulates a liquid, and a drive motor connected to the rotatable propeller to rotate the rotatable propeller;   a head unit located above the circulation assembly, the head unit includes a motor with an output shaft in driving engagement with the oscillation shaft; and   the circulator is devoid of a processor controlling operation of the liquid circulator.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid circulator of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is an alternating current motor. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid circulator of  claim 1 , further comprising an automatic clutch mechanism between the output shaft and the oscillation shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid circulator of  claim 1 , further comprising a mount bracket attached to the head unit, the mount bracket is configured to mount the liquid circulator to a support structure. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid circulator of  claim 4 , wherein the mount bracket comprises a dock mount, and the support structure comprises a dock. 
     
     
         6 . A liquid circulator, comprising:
 an oscillation shaft that is rotatable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions;   a circulation assembly mounted to the oscillation shaft at a lower end thereof, the circulation assembly includes a rotatable propeller that circulates a liquid, and a drive motor connected to the rotatable propeller to rotate the rotatable propeller;   a head unit located above the circulation assembly, the head unit includes a motor with a rotary output shaft that rotates in a single direction;   a rotary to oscillation drive mechanism between the rotary output shaft and the oscillation shaft that is configured to convert rotation of the rotary output shaft into clockwise and counterclockwise oscillation of the oscillation shaft.   
     
     
         7 . The liquid circulator of  claim 6 , wherein the rotary to oscillation drive mechanism includes an automatic clutch mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid circulator of  claim 6 , further comprising a mount bracket attached to the head unit, the mount bracket is configured to mount the liquid circulator to a support structure. 
     
     
         9 . The liquid circulator of  claim 8 , wherein the mount bracket comprises a dock mount, and the support structure comprises a dock. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid circulator of  claim 6 , wherein the motor is an alternating current motor. 
     
     
         11 . A liquid circulator, comprising:
 an oscillation shaft that is rotatable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions;   a circulation assembly mounted to the oscillation shaft at a lower end thereof, the circulation assembly includes a rotatable propeller that circulates a liquid, and a drive motor connected to the rotatable propeller to rotate the rotatable propeller;   a head unit located above the circulation assembly, the head unit includes a motor with a rotary output shaft that rotates in a single direction;   a rotary to oscillation drive mechanism between the rotary output shaft and the oscillation shaft that is configured to convert rotation of the rotary output shaft into clockwise and counterclockwise oscillation of the oscillation shaft;   the circulator is devoid of a processor controlling operation of the liquid circulator.   
     
     
         12 . The liquid circulator of  claim 11 , wherein the rotary to oscillation drive mechanism includes an automatic clutch mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The liquid circulator of  claim 11 , further comprising a mount bracket attached to the head unit, the mount bracket is configured to mount the liquid circulator to a support structure. 
     
     
         14 . The liquid circulator of  claim 13 , wherein the mount bracket comprises a dock mount, and the support structure comprises a dock. 
     
     
         15 . The liquid circulator of  claim 11 , wherein the motor is an alternating current motor.